Nimona Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A knight gets framed, teams up with a shapeshifting teen who’s basically a walking plot device, and they both learn about friendship and how society is, like, totally bogus, man.

🍿 Nimona: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Knight’s Betrayal

In a futuristic medieval kingdom, Ballister Boldheart, a commoner, is about to be knighted alongside his boyfriend, Ambrosius Goldenloin. However, during the ceremony, the Queen is assassinated by a laser blast from Ballister’s sword. Framed and with his arm severed by Ambrosius in the chaos, Ballister becomes a fugitive, hunted by the very kingdom he swore to protect. His world is turned upside down as he grapples with betrayal and the loss of everything he holds dear.

An Unlikely Sidekick

Seeking to clear his name, Ballister is approached by Nimona, a mischievous shapeshifting teenager eager to be his sidekick. Nimona, ostracized for her powers, sees a kindred spirit in Ballister’s outcast status. Despite Ballister’s reluctance, Nimona’s chaotic energy and shapeshifting abilities prove invaluable. Together, they embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind the Queen’s assassination and expose the real culprit.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Ballister and Nimona’s investigation leads them to Diego, the squire who provided Ballister with the fateful sword. Diego reveals video evidence implicating the Director of the Institute in the Queen’s murder. However, their attempt to present this evidence to Ambrosius is thwarted by the Director’s manipulation, forcing them to flee once again. The truth is within reach, but powerful forces are determined to keep it hidden.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz): A mischievous shapeshifting teen who becomes Ballister’s sidekick and harbors a painful past.
• Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed): A knight framed for a crime he didn’t commit, seeking to clear his name with Nimona’s help.
• Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang): Ballister’s former boyfriend and fellow knight, torn between his loyalty and his love for Ballister.
• The Director (Frances Conroy): The manipulative head of the Institute who frames Ballister and harbors deep-seated prejudices.
• Queen Valerin (Lorraine Toussaint): The progressive ruler whose murder sets the main plot in motion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nimona: “Kids. Little kids. They grow up believing that they can be a hero if they drive a sword into the heart of anything different. And I’m the monster? I don’t know what’s scarier. The fact that everyone in this kingdom wants to run a sword through my heart… or that sometimes, I just wanna let ’em.” – Nimona expresses her frustration and pain at being perceived as a monster and the impact of societal prejudice.
• Nimona: “I destroy things. That’s my thing.” – Nimona introduces herself and her penchant for chaos to Ballister, highlighting her rebellious nature.
• Ballister Boldheart: “I’m not a villain!” – Ballister repeatedly denies being a villain, struggling against the label society has placed on him.
• Nimona: “Question everything you’ve been taught.” – Nimona encourages Ballister to challenge the established norms and beliefs of their society.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Nimona Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored Nimona! From the moment it started, I was hooked. Chloe Grace Moretz IS Nimona – her voice acting is perfect. I especially loved the scene where Nimona and Ballister are just causing chaos; it was hilarious. The ending brought tears to my eyes, though. The way the movie tackles themes of acceptance and identity is just beautiful and the futuristic medieval world kept me engaged. Definitely one of my favorite animated movies in a long time!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of animated fantasy adventures”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stories with LGBTQ+ representation”
  • “Audiences looking for heartwarming and thought-provoking films”
  • “Those who enjoy stories that subvert traditional fairy tale tropes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Fantasy Violence”
  • “Mature themes of prejudice and social rejection”
  • “Character deals with feelings of isolation and suicidal ideation”
  • “Some scenes may be intense for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Nimona subverts fantasy tropes with wit and heart. The animation is striking, and the themes of acceptance resonate deeply. The futuristic medieval setting is uniquely realized. It’s a fun, thought-provoking adventure for all.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Nimona’s energy is infectious and rebellious, Chloe Grace Moretz’s voice acting really makes her character come to life. The visuals are stunning, blending 2D and 3D, and the story is both humorous and heartfelt. A triumph for animation!
• IGN: “Nimona balances action and emotion effectively. The world-building is creative, and the characters are compelling. It’s a story about challenging prejudices and finding your own identity, wrapped in a visually impressive package.

Audience Reactions

The animation style is fresh and unique, setting it apart from other animated films.: Viewers consistently praised the animation’s creativity and the film’s distinctive visual style.

Nimona herself is a captivating character, thanks to Chloe Grace Moretz’s outstanding voice acting.: Many viewers highlighted Chloe Grace Moretz’s performance, noting how it brought Nimona to life.

Overall Consensus: Nimona is a critically acclaimed animated film praised for its unique animation style, compelling characters, and powerful themes of acceptance and identity.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Nimona was originally a production of Blue Sky Studios, but was cancelled after Disney’s acquisition of Fox and the subsequent shutdown of Blue Sky. The film was approximately 75% complete at the time.”
• “The film was revived by Annapurna Pictures and Netflix, with DNEG Animation completing the visuals.”
• “The film features a unique blend of medieval fantasy and futuristic science fiction, creating a distinct visual style.”

🖥️ How to Watch Nimona?

Nimona is currently available for streaming on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it is exclusively available on this platform for subscribers. There are currently no options to rent or purchase the movie on digital platforms such as Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Nimona, you might like these similar films:

• She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018-2020): Shares the same creator (ND Stevenson) and similar themes of found family, fighting against oppressive systems, and LGBTQ+ representation with a focus on strong female characters.
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): Shares the dynamic and stylized animation, fast-paced action, and themes of embracing individuality while also turning the superhero concept on its head.
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010): Features a similar dynamic between a human character and a ‘monster,’ exploring themes of prejudice and learning to accept differences.
• Zootopia (2016): Explores themes of prejudice and societal biases, challenging the audience to question their own preconceived notions about others.
• Arcane (2021): Features nuanced animation, mature themes, and excellent storytelling that creates an immersive animated experience.

🛒 Nimona Related Products

• Nimona: The Graphic Novel: The original Eisner Award-nominated graphic novel by ND Stevenson that inspired the movie. Dive deeper into the world of Nimona and Ballister Boldheart with this beautifully illustrated story.
• Nimona Enamel Pin Set: A set of enamel pins featuring Nimona in various shapeshifted forms and iconic symbols from the movie. High-quality and perfect for decorating bags, jackets, or pin boards.
• Nimona ‘Chaos Reigns’ T-Shirt: Officially licensed ‘Nimona’ t-shirt featuring Nimona art. Available in various sizes and colors, made with comfortable, high-quality materials.

🎧 Soundtrack

Nimona features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)” – performed by The Banana Splits
• “MORTALS” – performed by WARGASM (UK)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

#Nimona Comic VS Movie

Ever wondered how closely the *Nimona* movie stuck to the original comic? This video breaks down scenes side-by-side, and honestly, the attention to detail is pretty cool. Check it out to see how your favorite panels translated to the screen!

Disney’s ‘Nimona’ mistake comes back around

Did you know *Nimona* almost didn’t happen? This video dives into the wild story of how Disney initially shelved the project, and it’s actually pretty surprising. Worth a watch to appreciate how this gem made its way to Netflix!

Nimona and the Art of Adaptation

Want to level up your appreciation for *Nimona*? This video essay explores the film’s deeper themes and its adaptation from the comic, and I was honestly blown away by the insights. If you’re a film buff, this is a must-watch!

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